Daouq Warns Media with Legal Action if Failing to Commit to Civil Peace

Information Minister Walid al-Daouq said on Thursday that the National Media Council (NMC) didn’t settle yet the way it will deal with the Lebanese broadcasting audio-visual channels committing violations.

“We’re open to all options,” Daouq told As Safir newspaper.

He stressed that the broadcasting channels should play a role in preserving civil peace and halting strife.

“If the stations agreed to this suggestion and applied it, then there will be no problem,” Daouq stated.

The NMC is scheduled to hold a meeting on Friday with audio-visual channels representatives to tackle the uncontrolled broadcasting by some channels that failed to commit to the legal boundaries of the audio-visual law.

However, he warned of legal action against the broadcasting channels that refuse to control their reports.

Media reports said that LBCI and al-Jadeed channels, in particular, will be demanded to apologize for the “errors committed over the coverage of the case of the 11 kidnapped Lebanese” pilgrims in Syria.

The two channels began their evening news with strong introductions, hinting the refusal to apologize.

LBCI and al-Jadeed channels have been racing to cover the case of the 11 men kidnapped in Syria since May 22.

They have even entered the city were the abducted men are and interviewed the kidnappers.

Conflicting reports have emerged on their fate after Syrian government forces shelled the area of Aazaz where they were being held.